SIR - Once again Welsh rugby has shown its contempt for the customers who pay their money every week.

SIR - Once again Welsh rugby has shown its contempt for the customers who pay their money every week.

The Wales Under-21 coach Chris Davey was correct when he said that the changes are cosmetic, in effect just reducing the numbers of the clubs competing.

I, along with many faithful supporters, have lost "my" team, not to a genuine regional system and the "managed" system we were promised, but to a free-for-all where money rules.

In my own "region" I see foreign journeymen like Maama Molitika and Richard Bryan given contracts at the expense of Welsh "flair" players like Geraint Lewis. If this is the future of our game, then I think it's disgraceful.

Watching players like Geraint, Gareth Wyatt and Shane Williams parading their skills and giving us magical moments, is the reason why most of us watch sport.

I feel that we've been conned and that a few years down the line we'll be left with just three bully-boy "clubs" - Llanelli Cardiff and Newport. Surprise, surprise!

J DAVIES

Fairhill Drive, Tonteg

SIR - I write as a Welsh rugby supporter, member of a rugby club and debenture holder. I have followed the dealings between David Bonello and the Welsh Rugby Union, as reported in The Western Mail, and it seems that natural justice could well be the loser.

It seems ridiculous that Mr Bonello could be asked to pay the costs of the appeal case, which arise because of the chaotic way the WRU ran its debenture office.

Good public relations are essential for the development of Welsh rugby. Debenture holders give a large interest-free loan to the game and show support for its future.

I would hope that in return the union would act reasonably and encourage, not alienate, their core supporters.

GL REES

Charlotte Square, Rhiwbina, Cardiff

SIR - In light of Esmond Griffiths' letter (The Western Mail, May 6) may I also add that along with the Welsh Cup, Cardiff RFC are also the Welsh cup kings of Europe.

They have reached more quarter and semi-finals than any other Welsh club, as well as making the final.

This is again testament to the greatness of the capital's rugby club and will continue to be so. Responding to Claire Roberts in the same letters' section, she questions the value of Scott Gibbs, Simon Easterby and Scott Quinnell in Welsh rugby's new structure.

I would argue that the two Welshmen bring knowledge and experience for younger players, Simon Easterby likewise.

The captain of Munster is Australian and they're not doing too badly, are they?

NEIL FLETCHER

Harrissmith Road, Penylan, Cardiff

SIR - Congratulations to Mark Williams on winning the world snooker championship.

I'm sure that when the final ball was potted all of Wales would have felt a sense of pride having seen a Welshman portray such skill and determination.

What a shame, though, that Williams then felt the need to tell the world how his bowels had not been functioning properly.

JB GRIFFITHS

Moorland Heights, The Common, Pontypridd

SIR - Do you think it is possible that any of our top rugby players could give a media interview without using the expressions "at the end of the day", "massive" and "awesome".

Obviously, at the end of the day, this would be, not only a massive task, but an awesome challenge!

MRS V SHEPHERD

Burgesse Crescent, Llantrisant

SIR - I, along with several hundred other spectators, recently spent an enjoyable weekend at the Welsh Hockey Union cup finals watching many youngsters (and those not so young) displaying huge amounts of pride, passion and commitment in a sport unfortunately classed as a "minority" sport.

If only our current role models in the so-called national sports could display a small percentage of what these individuals showed, then things would be far better.

MEL SCUDAMORE

Hawthorn, Pontypridd

SIR - What must Matthew Maynard and Robert Croft do to get back in the England Test side.

Maynard is still a brilliant talent, even if he does get himself run out stupidly at times. But he is a brilliant cricketer and enjoying some of the best form of his life.

Graeme Hick, John Crawley, and Robin Smith all had decent tries and came back again, so why not Maynard?

Crofty showed himself to be the best spin bowler last season and he has had a decent start again in one-day cricket. But, once again, he has been overlooked.

JOHN DAVIES

Neath

SIR - With regards to your rugby reporter Gareth Roberts' recent match reports on Bridgend RFC I would like to make the following points.

When I read his assessment of the Bridgend-Swansea game, which Bridgend won 49-21, I was angry. After reading his report of Bridgend's 41-20 win at Llanelli I was totally cheesed off.

Why did he again and again mention how Llanelli were under-strength and not mention the brilliant display by Bridgend. The Ravens were also under-strength, so I wonder why your reporter finds it impossible to say anything complimentary about Bridgend.

Mr Roberts comments on the poor crowd at the Bridgend-Swansea game, yet I'm not surprised so few people turn up at games these days.

He and other journalists are partly to blame for the decline of the game in Wales as such articles put people off wanting to watch.